Kyrgyzstan has appointed Maksat Asanaliev as the new chairman of the State Committee for National Security, marking a major change in the country’s security leadership.

President Sadyr Japarov signed a decree appointing Asanaliev to head the State Committee for National Security, according to KNEWS.

Asanaliev has been relieved of his previous duties following the appointment. His candidacy for the position had earlier been approved by Kyrgyzstan’s parliament.

The State Committee for National Security is responsible for national security and counterintelligence matters, making the appointment one of the key decisions in Kyrgyzstan’s government leadership.